Dearest Bebe-
Did you think I'd forgotten about this little blog? Don't worry, I haven't. It's kind of normal for your Momma to think about doing important things, and just not do them. What has been happening for our little family since I last wrote? Well, first of all, our wonderful doctor, Dr. Gosser, had me go in for a "routine test." Unfortunately, the result wasn't routine, and it turns out that we have Gestational Diabetes. You see, your Grandad has diabetes, and it was diagnosed when I was born. Ahh. I was so nervous. God had His hand on us though, and the diabetes became a way to praise God throughout Lent for the gift of life, even though we didn't have the normal fasting requirements, we had unique nutritional requirements, and eventually we added insulin shots to the mix. I don't want to complain at all, because this experience has been a great way for me to really focus on the type of food that I'm putting in my body, reminding myself that food is for fuel, not solely just for pleasure. It's also been a great experience in what Grandad has been experiencing for the past 27 years of my life, a worry, the mood swings, the unpredictibility of it all, and although it brought us even closer; what a gift.
Daddy and I still find it hard to believe how big you have grown inside of me. Pictures will help us remember that it wasn't always this way, and I hope that you'll want some photos of what you looked like while you were inside; so here you go.
This is you at 20 weeks - on January 16, 2010. We were trying on clothes at a Maternity store, as I was just starting to not fit in anything I owned!
This is Daddy and I on February 5, 2011- You were growing!! This would have been 23 weeks!
This is on your Dad's birthday, March 17, 2011 - we had just been diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes, but it is always a good day to celebrate how wonderful your father is! Close to 29 weeks! 
This is at a friend's wedding (and your first wedding!) on April 30, 2011. Here you are about 35 weeks, and pictured with Michelle Claudin, who was Michelle Raymond at the time! 
I'm trying to think of other things I want to remember... you have been so deeply blessed with the people around us who love us. I was surprised with a baby shower at Lopata - it was such a blessing. People joined their gifts together, gave wonderful advice, and even went the extra mile to make sure that there were some appropriate treats avaiable for me to eat. We recieved all of the things that we "really needed" in case you came early, like a car seat, a crib mattress, and your infant monitor.
I'm trying to think of other things I want to remember... you have been so deeply blessed with the people around us who love us. I was surprised with a baby shower at Lopata - it was such a blessing. People joined their gifts together, gave wonderful advice, and even went the extra mile to make sure that there were some appropriate treats avaiable for me to eat. We recieved all of the things that we "really needed" in case you came early, like a car seat, a crib mattress, and your infant monitor.
Just a few weeks later, your wonderful Grandma Vickie threw a family shower for us at her house, and we received even more delightful gifts, lots of outfits (of course, mostly yellow, because we still don't know everything about you, including your gender!), two strollers, another car seat. Grandma June was able to come visit for the weekend, and it was a great gift to have her present for the shower and for a whole weekend. She loves you so much and it is just wonderful to have her around.
Other things to remember...
- We love to feel you kick and move. We call you often "the little kicker" and Daddy asks daily how you're doing and if you're kicking enough.
- Because of the diabetes, we will most likely induce labor. We've been taking childbirth classes called "the Bradley Method" which discourages this, but we have done our research and feel like it is medically necessary...I've tried so often not to stress or get worried about labor and delivery, and your father constantly reminds me that he loves us and will take care of us, no matter what happens in the delivery room.
- Because of the diabetes, we will most likely induce labor. We've been taking childbirth classes called "the Bradley Method" which discourages this, but we have done our research and feel like it is medically necessary...I've tried so often not to stress or get worried about labor and delivery, and your father constantly reminds me that he loves us and will take care of us, no matter what happens in the delivery room.
- Your cousin, Savannah Marie Skidmore, was born on May 13th - it's great to know that you will share a birthday month with a cousin. Of course, it makes me wish we lived closer to all of the Skidmore's, but God will provide for us in letting our hearts be close, even if our bodies aren't.
- We went to your first ever Cardinal's game on May 19th vs. the Astro's - the Cardinal's won, 4-2.
- We keep wondering who you will look like. Of course, Grandad says that you will look like yourself, and a scrunched up little newborn. He is anxious to see you get chubby. Daddy would like it if you inherited my blue eyes, but I think that brown eyes would be beautiful too.
Dearest child, I love you so much. Thank you for coming on this journey of life, we are so grateful and so excited to meet you. I am nervous about being a good mother - I know you deserve so many things, and I will fail at being like Mary, Our Mother, but I hope to grow and improve each day so that I may teach you of the love of Christ, who loves us more than we could imagine.
Love,
Momma
